Medical Face Mask with Sealing Strip

Abstract

The present invention relates to a face mask for filtering contaminants from the air that is suitable for medical applications. In one embodiment, the face mask of the present invention comprises an air-permeable body with an inner seal connected to the inner surface of the body, and at least one strap for securing the face mask to the wearer's face. In another embodiment, the face mask of the present invention further comprises an outer seal connected the perimeter of the air-permeable body.

1 . A face mask for filtering contaminants from air, comprising:
 an air-permeable body having an inner surface, wherein said body is sized to cover the nose and mouth of a subject when worn by said subject, said air-permeable body is substantially rectangular in shape, and a portion of at least one corner of said air-permeable body is folded towards said inner surface, thereby creating at least one two-layered region of said air-permeable body when worn by said subject, and wherein the width of said air-permeable body at said two-layered region is less than the width of said air-permeable body at it widest point;   an inner seal connected to said inner surface of said body; and   at least one strap connected to said body for securing said face mask to said subject's face.   
     
     
         2 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said air-permeable body is about 160 mm long and about 65 mm wide at its widest point. 
     
     
         3 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said air-permeable body is about 180 mm long and 70 mm wide at its widest point. 
     
     
         4 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said air-permeable body is about 220 mm long and about 75 mm wide at its widest point. 
     
     
         5 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said air-permeable body is about 230 mm long and about 85 mm wide at its widest point. 
     
     
         6 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said inner seal is about 101 mm wide. 
     
     
         7 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said inner seal is about 111 mm wide. 
     
     
         8 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said inner seal is about 134 mm wide. 
     
     
         9 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein at least one strap is connected to said body near said at least one two-layered region. 
     
     
         10 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of said at least one corner of said air-permeable body folded towards said inner surface is attached to said inner surface. 
     
     
         11 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said mask filters at least about 95% of contaminants in air that are 0.3 microns or larger. 
     
     
         12 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises pleats for allowing the shape of said body to be adjusted. 
     
     
         13 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said inner seal is configured to form a seal around said subject's nose and mouth when worn by said subject. 
     
     
         14 . The face mask of  claim 1 , wherein said inner seal comprises at least one leaflet for conforming a portion of said inner seal to said subject's nose. 
     
     
         15 . A face mask for filtering contaminants from air, comprising:
 an air-permeable body having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a perimeter, wherein said body is sized to cover the nose and mouth of a subject when worn by said subject;   an outer seal connected to said perimeter of said body;   an inner seal connected to said inner surface of said body; and   at least one strap connected to said body for securing said face mask to said subject's face.   
     
     
         16 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said body comprises pleats for allowing the shape of said body to be adjusted. 
     
     
         17 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said inner seal is configured to form a seal around said subject's nose and mouth when worn by said subject. 
     
     
         18 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said inner seal comprises at least one leaflet for conforming a portion of said inner seal to said subject's nose. 
     
     
         19 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said inner seal is connected to said inner surface of said body by at least one connector strip. 
     
     
         20 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said body comprises a non-woven material. 
     
     
         21 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said inner seal comprises silicone. 
     
     
         22 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said outer seal comprises a TPE/EVA foam. 
     
     
         23 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said outer seal comprises polyurethane. 
     
     
         24 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said mask filters at least about 95% of contaminants in air that are 0.3 microns or larger. 
     
     
         25 . The face mask of  claim 15 , wherein said at least one strap comprises a clasp. 
     
     
         26 . A face mask for filtering contaminants from air, comprising:
 an air-permeable body having an inner surface, wherein said body is sized to cover the nose and mouth of a subject when worn by said subject;   an inner seal connected to said inner surface of said body; and   at least one strap connected to said body for securing said face mask to said subject's face.   
     
     
         27 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said air-permeable body is substantially rectangular in shape. 
     
     
         28 . The face mask of  claim 27 , wherein a portion of at least one corner of said air-permeable body is folded towards said inner surface, thereby creating at least one two-layered region of said air-permeable body when worn by said subject. 
     
     
         29 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said inner seal is configured to form a seal around said subject's nose and mouth when worn by said subject. 
     
     
         30 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said inner seal comprises at least one leaflet for conforming a portion of said inner seal to said subject's nose. 
     
     
         31 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said inner seal is connected to said inner surface of said body by at least one connector strip or connector tab. 
     
     
         32 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said body comprises a non-woven material. 
     
     
         33 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said inner seal comprises silicone. 
     
     
         34 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said mask filters at least about 95% of contaminants in air that are 0.3 microns or larger. 
     
     
         35 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said at least one strap comprises a clasp. 
     
     
         36 . The face mask of  claim 26 , wherein said body comprises pleats for allowing the shape of said body to be adjusted. 
     
     
         37 . A face mask for filtering contaminants from air, comprising:
 an air-permeable body having an inner surface, wherein said body is sized to cover the nose and mouth of a subject when worn by said subject, and further wherein a portion of at least one corner of said body is folded towards said inner surface, thereby creating at least one two-layered region of said body when worn by said subject.   an inner seal connected to said inner surface of said body; and at least one strap connected to said body for securing said face mask to said subject's face.